Transfer Rumours: Hammers Continue To Struggle In Striker Quest

Giroud move on the cards

It has been reported by The Daily Mail in the last few days that our interest in Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is still very much alive. The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to several clubs including Lyon and Marseille back in his native France, but it is understood that we are leading the race for his signature. However, it’s understood that the front man won’t come cheap and that Bilic will be expected to pay another club record fee to bring the former Montpellier man to The London Stadium. It is no lie that we are desperately in need of signing a decent striker in this window, last summer’s woeful array of purchases included the calamitous attacking duo of Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri who managed only one goal between them. To add to the pressure on Bilic in this window, just as we looked on course to sign one of the most promising young strikers around in Henry Onyekuru, the Nigerian announced his move to Premier League rivals Everton. Despite the excitement of fans about the possible Giroud move, many remain reluctant to break the bank after our last record signing Andre Ayew struggled to fit the bill last season. Even if we are to sign the France international, we may have to wait some time as Arsene Wenger understandably wants to wait to secure his own transfer targets before he lets his key goal scorer go. So, will we finally manage to pull off one of the steals of the summer in the coming months?

Clubs queue as Snodgrass looks set to depart

It has been rumoured this week by various London based Media Outlets that we are ready to let our wide midfielder Robert Snodgrass depart after just six months at the club. The Scottish international has failed to settle in at The London Stadium after he was signed as a replacement for Frenchman Dimitri Payet in January. This has culminated in fans and pundits alike grilling Snodgrass and branding him as “Idle” and “Slow”. However, despite his poor performances in Claret and Blue, the 29-year-old is attracting interest from the newly promoted duo of Brighton and Huddersfield, in addition Burnley are also thought to have made an enquiry. So, will the former Hull City man come back to haunt us at another Premier League club?

Ogbonna to return to Italy?

It has been reported this week by The Daily Mail that a number of Italian clubs are ready to bring our centre back Angelo Ogbonna back to his native land. Ogbonna himself is understood to be keen on the move, with instigating himself back into the Italy squad for the 2018 World Cup in his ambitions. We signed the 29-year-old from Juventus in summer 2015 and as one of Slaven Bilic’s first signings, the former Torino man impressed in his first one and a half seasons in Claret and Blue. However, Ogbonna spent the second half of last season on the side-lines after requiring surgery on his knee. Several Serie A teams are said to be circling for the pacey defender and only time will tell on whether we are able to keep him at The London Stadium.

Wilshere interest reignited

It has been reported in the last few days by The Express that we are to renew our interest in Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere. The 25-year-old is famed for his skill and finesse in midfield, but has struggled with injuries in recent years and spent last season on loan at AFC Bournemouth. However, Wilshere is also famed for his poor attitude and off-field bust ups, a calibre of player that Slaven Bilic has been notoriously harsh with in the past. So, will Bilic take a risk of the boyhood West Ham fan?

Hammers face competition for Belgium star

It has also been rumoured by The Express this week that we may face some notable competition to secure a loan move for Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi. The big Belgian struggled in his first season at Stamford Bridge only managing a single Premier League start, despite scoring the decisive goal that earned The West Londoner’s their title win. Many Hammers fans may remember the name as we were involved in one of the biggest transfer sagas of last summer when the 23-year-old snubbed Slaven Bilic for Antonio Conte. However, just twelve months later the bookies are placing us as one of the favourites along with Sevilla and Newcastle to land the former Standard Liege forward. Only time will tell whether or not the pacey goal scorer will finally make the move to East London.